Gov. Jerry Brown has signed bills extending the Fort Ord Reuse Authority to 2020 and making it easier for veterans groups to raise funds for the proposed Central Coast State Veterans Cemetery.

The extension bill, AB 1614, by Assemblyman Bill Monning, D-Carmel, allows the agency to operate as regional overseer of renewal work on the former Army base until June 30, 2020. The agency's life was due to expire June 20, 2014.

"We're very pleased that the governor and state Legislature had the confidence in us to extend us, and we will roll up our sleeves and get back to work," said Steve Endsley, FORA's assistant executive officer.

Endsley also praised passage of the cemetery bill, saying the project has been a priority of the FORA board.

AB 1842, also by Monning, will allow the state Department of Veterans Affairs to enter into any financial agreement to receive cash advances in an endowment fund to be used in building the cemetery.

Once the fund reaches $1.5 million, the first phase of construction — planning and design — can begin. But the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery Foundation has struggled to raise money in the down economy.

Monning's bill changes that by allowing donors to be paid back by the state Department of Veterans Affairs if there is enough money in the endowment fund at the end of the project after reimbursement by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

"This legislation is huge," said Greg Nakanishi of the Veterans Cemetery Foundation, because it allows the group to solicit donations with the possibility of repayment. "It will advance the cause of the cemetery greatly."

"I am pleased with the governor's signing of AB 1842, which will allow greater flexibility in securing funding options for the Central (Coast) Veterans Cemetery," Monning said in a statement. "Now is the time for our entire community to pull together in support of turning this dream into a reality."

The cemetery is planned for a 78-acre parcel on the Parker Flats area of Fort Ord that lies next to land FORA has put up for sale to fund the endowment. That land is proposed for development of the controversial Monterey Downs equestrian-themed project.

The cemetery is "getting closer to becoming a reality now," said Jack Stewart, co-chairman of a county citizens advisory committee on the cemetery. He said the process started in 1992. "Just a few more obstacles, and I think we'll be just fine."